Assessments and Data Collections

DISTRICT ASSESSMENTS & OTHER DATA COLLECTIONS

Every school’s goal is for all children to grow and learn. Just as we use a tape measure to mark a person’s physical growth, in schools we use a variety of assessments to measure learning. Results are used to plan instruction, measure academic growth and achievement relative to standards and peers, and to monitor progress within the school year.  Following is the list of assessments or other data collections planned for the district. The assessment calendar provides dates.

Assessment/Data Collection Participants & Grade Level(s)

ACCESS for ELLs
ACCESS is a state-required English language proficiency test designed to measure English language learners’ speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.

English language learners in Grades K-12

DRDP (Desired Results Developmental Profile)
DRDP is an observational instrument designed to collect developmentally appropriate information about preschool students' skills in a variety of domains.

All students in PK

Advanced Placement (AP)
AP tests allow students to obtain advanced placement in college classes and/or college credit.

Students enrolled in AP courses in high school

Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
CogAT is a district-administered ability measureused for advanced program placement.  Información en español.

All students in Grades 2 and 5***

Dynamic Learning Maps-Alternate Assessment (DLM-AA)
DLM is a state-required assessment of students with significant cognitive disabilities in English language arts, mathematics, and science used for school performance ratings. DLM is given in place of the Illinois Assessment of Readiness, Illinois Science Assessment, and SAT for identified students.

Identified special education students

Fountas and Pinnell
Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System is a district-administered, one-on-one assessment that assists the teacher in determining students’ reading levels for instructional purposes.

All students in Grades K-5****

Illinois Science Assessment (ISA)
ISA is a state-required assessment of science used for school performance ratings.

All students in Grades 5, 8 and 11

Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS)
KIDS is a state-required measure of kindergarten students’ development across four domains — approaches to learning and self-regulation, social and emotional development, language and literacy development, and math.

All students in Kindergarten

Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)
MAP is a district-administered assessment of reading and mathematics used to measure growth relative to national and local grade level peers.

More information about MAP:
Annotated MAP Student Progress Report English
Ejemplo del informe de progreso del estudiante (Español)
Parent Toolkit

All students in Grades K-8 in fall
Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) 

IAR is the state-required assessment of English language arts and mathematics used for school performance ratings.

All students in Grades 3-8

PSAT 8/9
PSAT 8/9 is a state-required assessment for all students in Grade 9 used to measure individual, school, and district growth and achievement in reading, writing and language, and mathematics.

All Grade 9 students

PSAT 10
PSAT 10 is a state-required assessment for all students in Grade 10 used to measure individual, school, and district growth and achievement in reading, writing, language, and mathematics.  

All Grade 10 students

PSAT/NMSQT
PSAT/NMSQT is an optional district-administered assessment used to measure individual, school, and district growth in reading, writing and language, and mathematics and determines eligibility for National Merit Scholarships for 11th graders. 

Optional for students in Grade 11

SAT
SAT is the state-required measure of college readiness (reading, writing and language, and mathematics) for high school students.  

All students in Grade 11 and 12 for 2020-21

Illinois 5Essentials Survey
The Illinois 5Essentials survey is a state-required measure of school culture and climate which gathers information from students, parents, and school staff.

All students in Grades 4-12, parents, and school staff

***Additional CogAT testing may be conducted in August for students new to the district in Grades 3-8.
**** For fall, kindergarten students who are reading and all students in Grades 1-5 participate.

RESEARCH & ASSESSMENT LOCKER